Two murals have been completed near South Florida Avenue – and according to the Lakeland CRA, there are many more to come. But first, here’s a look at Lakeland’s newest public art – one, an ode to downtown music + the other, a steampunk paradise – and the artists that made them possible.
If your daily commute includes a drive up S. Florida Ave., you’d be hard pressed to miss the addition of the colorful piano mural. The artist, Harmony Miller, is a mural artist extraordinaire + may be best known for her work at the entrance of the staple Irish pub downtown, Molly McHugh’s. The bright pink mural embodies its location’s namesake of the retro-nouveau lounge that was opened in 2015, The Pink Piano.
The other mural – recently completed near Southside Cleaners – is set to transport you to another realm. “Flights of Fancy” by Lakeland renowned artist Tim Haas features a steampunk ocean + moonscape scene complete with whales, a spinning nebula + an airship. This was the second of three murals commissioned by the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency.
Three more recent public art additions we’d be remiss not to mention include the other worldly woman with four eyes on North Florida Avenue by Gabriela Jaxon, the yellow Lakeland-themed mural by Jenna Cherry from Twenty Seven at The Shop Across the Street, and one to be completed in April on East Main Street by Ahmad Taylor (who created the mural at the CRA’s urban garden).
Progress is moving quickly, and we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the rest of this year’s mural announcements. 👀
What local artist would you like to see create a mural next? Bonus points: where should it be painted? Respond below.
